Attachment for hosiery driers



H F WANAMAKER TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT RS Filed Nov. 4, 1955 2 S June 15, 1937. H. F. WANAMAKER 2,084,230

ATTACHMENT FOR HOSIERY DRIERS Filed Nov. 4, 1935 2 Sheets-#Sheet 2 www Patented June 15, 1937 UNITED STATES PATNT OFFICE ATTACHMENT FOR HOSIER-Y DRIERS Application November 4, 1935, Serial No. 48,256

18 Claims.

This invention relates to a welt-setting attachment for hosiery drying machines, and particularly for that type of drier disclosed in the Schwartz and Coulston Patent No. 1,112,329,

5 dated September 29, 1914.

W'hen a hosiery boarder is dressing a damp or wet stocking on a hosiery form in the type oi drier noted above, prior to the entrance of the form into the drying chamber, his last motion or duty l is to pull the stocking downwardly and evenly vat the welt to cause the normally top edge of the stocking, that is, the edge defining the open end of the stocking, to register with a mark on the drying form which conforms to the length the l stocking is to have when dried. As the boarder releases the stocking, the stocking has a tendency to contract and pull the welt line away from4 the length mark on the form.

One object of the present invention is to provide a device which will replace and set the welt line in registry with the length mark on the form prior to the passage of the form and the boarded stocking into the drying chamber of the machine.

Another object of the invention is to construct and operate the setting device in such a manner as will cause the moisture in the welt to be scattered or dissipated throughout the welt and the adjoining section. of the stocking, 'whereby the moisture will be thinned out o-r spread out and thereby facilitate drying of the stocking.

The construction and operation of the attachment Will be fully disclosed hereinafter, reference being had to the accompanying drawings; of which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the device illustrating the same in the act of resetting the Welt l and dissipating the moisture; and

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional elevation of the carrier guideway of the machine and illustrating the attachment as applied thereto.

The drier which has been chosen for the purpose of illustrating the present invention is provided with a bed or frame I in which is formed a guideway or track 2 for a plurality of stocking form carriers 3. Each of the carriers 3 is provided with a base 4 which is slidably mounted in the guideway 2.

Depending from the base 4 is a pin or roller` 5 which is arranged to be engaged by one or more spiral cams E, by which the carriers are advanced along the guideway in predetermined spaced relation to each other.

Each of the carriers 3 supports a hosiery form l., in an upright position, for receiving a wet or damp stocking at a station disposed along the track 2 outside the drying chamber.

At a predetermined distance above the carrier 3 the form. 'I is provided with a length mark or indicator of any desired character which may be in the form of a line placed on and extending transversely across the form or it may be in the form of a straight edge blade or equivalent element adjustably mounted on the form or the carrier and disposed adjacent the form.

The attachment in` the present instance comprises a pair of brackets IB, I0 which are arranged to be secured to the frame I of the machine. Secured to the brackets It, Il) is a pair of vertically extending posts or standards II, II which may be adjustable vertically with respect to said frame. Below said frame the said posts are connected by a transversely extending brace member l2.

The upper end of each post I I is provided with a solenoid unit I5. Each solenoid unit comprises a frame I6 for supporting a coil l'I, and a series of plates I8 constituting a laminated field structure for the solenoid. Slidably mounted in each sodenoid unit I5 is a laminated core member or armature I9. Each armature member I9 is provided with a pair of inwardly extending arms 20 which aord movable supports for the welt-setting elements of the attachment.

Pivotally connected at 2l to the arms 20, 20 of each solenoid unit is a setting element comprising a base plate 22 having a pair of ears 23, 23 disposed between and immediately adjacent the arms 20, 20 of the solenoid armature. Disposed in a plane parallel to and spaced laterally from the base plate 22 is a setting plate 2t. Each setting plate is provided with a plurality of studs 25 which project through suitable openings in the base plate 22, said studs being provided with nuts 2S disposed on one side of the base plate 22 for maintaining the setting plate 24 in predetermined parallel relation to the base plate 22, each stud 25 being provided with an encircling spring 2l, said springs being provided to force the setting plate 24 away from the base plate 22 to an extent prescribed by the nuts 26 on the studs 25 and to provide a resilient connection between said plates.

Secured to the face of each setting plate 24 is a resilient pad composed of felt or equivalent material 28. Covering each pad 28 and the marginal edges of the setting plate 24 is a fabric cover 29 which, as a matter of convenience, is, in the present instance, provided with laces 3l] by which the cover is secured in place.

Secured to each setting plate 24 adjacent the uppermost edge thereoit` is a bracket 3l to which is secured one end of a spring 32. The opposite ends of said springs 32, 32 are connected to ad- 5 justable eyes 33, 33 which are carri-ed by brackets 35, 35 respectively, which are secured to the upper ends of the posts l I, I I.

Energization of the solenoids l5, I5, at such time as each of the forms l', with a stocking thereon, is brought into position intermediate the welt setting elements consisting of the plates 22, 22,

24, 24, the pads 28 and covers 29, by the action of the cam 6, is eiected by means of a switch Sii of any desired typ-e. The switch 36 is arranged to be l5 controlled by the cam 6 in the present instance.

As a matter of illustration, the switch 3E, in the present instance, is disclosed as comprising a pair of suitable terminals 3l' and 33 carried by an insulating block 3.9 secured to a suitable part of the apparatus adjacent the spiral cam 6. Carried by the spiral cam 6, in a position as will not interfere with the functioning of the cam in engaging the rollers 5 of the carriers 3 to advance the carriers along the track 2, is a movable element 4U, which, as the cam G revolves, closes the circuit between the terminals 3l and 33 and permits current to flow through an electrical circuit includuing the coils I7, il of the solenoids i5, I5, from a source of current 4i.

When the coils I'I, ii are deenergized the springs "2 pull the setting elements outwardly in opposite directions away from the plane of movement of the forms "I, that is, from the position shown in Fig. l to the position shown in Fig. 2, wherein the said elements are rocked about their pivots 2|, 2l until the back faces of the plates 22, 22 engage stops provided by the upper corners 42, 42 of the solenoid side arms 2li, 2S whereby the setting elements are maintained in the angular or convergent relationship to each other and to the form 'I or the plane of movement of said forms illustrated in Fig. 2.

As a form 'I with the stocking therein moves into position between or into alignment with the opposed setting elements, the switch 36 is closed and the coils II, I'I of the solenoids. I5, I5 are simultaneously energized. Such energization of the coils I'I causes rapid longitudinal movement of the armatures I9, Hl of said solenoids in a horizontal plane toward each other and the form interposed between the setting elements. Such movement of th-e armatures I9 first causes the lower edges 43, 43 of the setting elements to engage the opposite sides of the stocking :c on the form 'I adjacent the edge :c1 of said stocking.

Continued rapid movement of the armatures l5 causes the setting elements to turn around the pivots 2|, 2| against the action of the springs 32, 32, which causes the lower edges 43, 43 of said setting structures to move downwardly while firmly gripping the lower edge of the stocking therebetween, which carries said edge of the stocking down to the length mark on the form.

From the above, it will be clear that the setting elements or at least the lower edges thereof, after rst engaging the stocking, move downwardly, i. e. longitudinally of the form, and set the open end of the stocking at a deiinite position on the form.

Continued rapid movement of the armatures I 9, IS causes the inner surfaces 44, 44 of the setting elements to slap violently against the opposite sides of the form to engage the welt of the stocking flatly between the covers 29 and the form. Such slap action of the setting elements dissipates the moisture in the welt structure throughout the area thereof and causes the moisture to thin out evenly through said welt. In so doing, the welt structure is caused to adhere to the form and such adherence causes the stocking to maintain the position on the form to which it has been set by the action of the setting elements as above noted and imparts a smooth flat pleasing appearance to the welt while the downward motion of the lower edges of the setting elements pulls 'the welt down smoothly to the proper position on the form.

The inward movement of the armatures I9, i9 continues until the inner ends 45 of said armatures engage the edges 4B, 4G of the field plates I8. This iinal movement of the cores I9 takes place after the surfaces 44, 44 of the setting elements have attained full contact with the stocking, at which time the springs 2l, 21 between the plates 24 and 22 of the setting elements are compressed and yield which gives a iinal squeezing action in the setting operation. It will be understood that the switch 3 is only momentarily closed and that the action of the solenoids and the setting elements controlled thereby is quite rapid.

While the means for actuating the setting elements has been described as comprising electromagnetic solenoids, it will be understood that other mechanically operated mechanism can be employed for giving the setting elements the rapid movement above noted, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

l. A device for setting the welt of a stocking on a hosiery form, comprising a setting element having a flat face in resilient longitudinally convergent relation to said form, and means for moving said element in a direction substantially perpendicular to and toward said form to cause the advance edge of said convergent element to engage a stocking on the form and to move longitudinally of the form and to bring the flat face of said element nally into iiat contact with the stocking thereon. l

2. A device for setting the welt of a stocking on a hosiery form, comprising a pair of setting elements having flat faces respectively in resilient convergent relation to each other and to a form disposed in a plane substantially bisecting the angle of convergency of said faces, and means for moving said elements in opposite directions substantially perpendicular to and toward said form to cause the advance edge of said convergent element to engage a stocking on the form and to move longitudinally of the form and to bring the flat face of said element finally into flat contact with the stocking at opposite sides of the form.

3. A device for setting the Welt of a stocking on a hosiery form, comprising a pair of setting elements having flat faces respectively in resilient convergent relation to each other and to a form disposed in a plane substantially bisecting the angle of convergency of said faces, means for moving said elements in opposite directions substantially perpendicular to and toward said form to cause the advance edge of said convergent element to engage a stocking on the form and to move longitudinally of the form and to bring the iiat face of said element finally into flat contact with the stocking at opposite sides of the form, and means for eiecting simultaneous actuation of the last said means.

4. A device for setting the Welt of a stocking on a hosiery form, comprising a pair of setting elements having flat faces respectively in resilient convergent relation to each other and to a form disposed in a plane substantially bisecting the angle of convergency of said faces, and electrically operated means for moving said elements simultaneously in opposite directions substantially perpendicular to and toward said form to cause the advance edge of said convergent element to engage a stocking on the form and to move longitudinally of the form and to bring the iiat face of said element finally and momentarily into flat contact with the stocking at opposite sides of the form.

5. A device for setting the Welt of a stocking on a hosiery form, comprising a setting element having a flat face in longitudinally convergent relation to said form, a support for said element movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to and toward said form, means for pivotally connecting said element to said support, and resilient means for maintaining said element in said relation to said form and providing ior pivotal movement of said element relative to said support to effect rst an edge contact with the stocking, then a movement of said edge and the engaged portion of the stocking longitudinally of the form and then a at contact of said element with said stocking during said movement of said support.

6. A device for setting the Welt of a stocking on a hosiery form, comprising a setting element having a flat face in longitudinally convergent relation to said form, a support for said element mov-- able in a direction substantially perpendicular to and toward said form, means for pivotally connecting said element to said support, resilient means for maintaining said element in said relation to said form and providing for pivotal movement of said element relative to said support to eiect rst an edge contact with the stocking, then a movement of said edge and the engaged portion of the stocking longitudinally oi the form and then a at contact of said element with said stocking during said movement of said support, and resilient means ailiording relative compressive movement between said support and said element subsequent to said flat contact of the latter with said stocking.

7. A device for setting the Welt of a stocking on a hosiery form, comprising a setting element having a flat face in longitudinally convergent relation to said form, a support for said element movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to and toward said form, means for pivotally connecting said element to said support, resilient means for maintaining said element in said relation to said form and providing for pivotal movement of said element relative to said support to effect rst an edge contact with the stocking, then a movement of said edge and the engaged portion of the stocking longitudinally of the form and then a flat contact o1" said element with said stocking during said movement of said support, said element comprising a pair of plates in substantially parallel laterally spaced relation, and a resilient connection therebetween.

8. A device for setting the Welt of a stocking on a hosiery form, comprising a setting element having a lat face in longitudinally convergent relation to said form, a support for said element movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to and toward said form, means for pivotally connecting said element to said support, means for effecting said movement of said support in said direction, and resilient means for maintaining said element in said relation to said form and providing for pivotal movement of said element relative to said support to effect iirst an edge contact with the stocking, then a movement of said edge and the engaged portion of the stocking longitudinally of the form and then a iiat contact of said element with said stocking during said movement of said support and for returning said element to said convergent relation to said form.

9. A device for setting the Welt of a stocking on a hosiery form, comprising a setting element having a flat face in resilient longitudinally convergent relation to said form, a solenoid for moving said element in a direction substantially perpendicular to and toward said form and first into edge Contact with the stocking, then a movement oi' said edge and the engaged portion of the stocking longitudinally of the form and then a :full flat contact with the stocking on the form and means for momentarily energizing said solenoid to effect said movements of said element rapidly.

l0. A device for setting the Welt of a stocking on a hosiery form, comprising a setting element f having a flat face in resilient longitudinally convergent relation to said form, means for moving said form into alignment with said element, a solenoid for moving said element in a direction substantially perpendicular to and toward said form `and first into edge contact with the stocking, then a movement of said edge and the engaged portion oi the stocking longitudinally of the form and then a` full flat contact with the stocking on the form and means for momentarily energizing said solenoid to effect said movements of said element rapidly.

il. A device for setting the Welt of a stocking on a hosiery form, comprising a setting element having a flat face in resilient longitudinally convergent relation to said form, means for moving said form into alignment With said element, a solenoid for moving said element in a direction substantially perpendicular to and toward said form and first into edge Contact With the stocking, then a movement of said edge and the engaged portion oi the stocking longitudinally of the form and then a full flat contact with the stocking on the form, and means actuatable by the last said means for momentarily energizing and thereby effecting rapid operation of said solenoid coincidently with said alignment.

12. A device for setting the Welt of a stocking on a hosiery form, comprising a setting element including a pair of plates in substantially parf,

allel relation to each other and in longitudinally convergent relation to said form, means for retaining said plates resiliently in said relation to each other, a support for said element movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the f' plane of the form, means pivotally connecting one of said plates to said support, means for moving said support in said direction to effect iirst an edge contact of the second Jof said plates with the stocking on the form, then a pivotal movement of said element relative to said support to effect motion of said stockingengaging edge and the portion of the stocking engaged thereby longitudinally of the form, and finally a full at contact of said second plate with said stocking, and resilient means opposing said movements of said support and said element thereon.

13. A device for setting the welt of a stocking on a hosiery form, comprising a setting element including a pair ci plates in substantially parallel relation to each other and in longitudinally convergent relation to said form, means for retaining said plates resiliently in said relation to each other, a support for said element movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the form, means pivotally connecting one of said plates to said support, a solenoid for moving said support; in said direction to effect rst an edge contact of the second of said plates With the stocking on the form, then a pivotal movement of said element relative to said support to effect motion of said stocking-engaging edge and the portion of the stocking engaged thereby longitudinally of the form, and finally a full flat Contact of said second plate with said stocking, resilient means opposing said movements of said support and said element thereon, a switch controlling the energization of said solenoid, and

.' means for momentarily closing the switch to eifect a quick slap contact between said setting element and the stocking on the form.

14. A device for setting the Welt of a stocking on a hosiery form, comprising a solenoid having a fixed number and a relatively movable armature operable in a direction substantially perpendicular to and toward said form, a Welt setting element pivotally connected to said solenoid armature and having a at surface disposed in longitudinally convergent relation to the form, a stop on said armature normally engaged by said element when in said relation to said form, and a spring' connected to said element and opposing said movements of said armature and the element relative thereto.

l5. A device for setting the Welt of a stocking on a hosiery form, comprising a solenoid having a xed member and a relatively movable armature operable in a direction substantially perpendicular to and toward said form, a Welt setting element pivo'tally connected to said solenoid armature and having a flat surface disposed in longitudinally convergent relation to the form, a stop on said armature normally engaged by said element when in said relation to said form, a spring connected to said element and opposing said movements of said armature and the element re-lative thereto, said element comprising a pair of substantially parallel plates, and means resiliently connecting and maintaining said plates in said parallel relation.

A device for setting the welt of a stocking a hosiery form, comprising a solenoid having a xed member and a relatively movable armature operable in a direction substantially perpendicular to and toward said form, a Welt setting element pivotally connected to said solenoid armature and having a ilat surface disposed in longitudinally convergent relation to the form, a stop on said armature normally engaged by said element when in said relation to said form, a spring connected to said element and opposing said movements of said armature and the element relative thereto, said element comprising a pair of substantially parallel plates, means resiliently connecting and maintaining said plates in said parallel relation, and a resilient pad on one of said plates intermediate said plate and the stocking.

l1'7. A device for setting the welt of a stocking on a hosiery form, comprising a solenoid having a fixed member and a relatively movable armature operable in a direction substantially perpendicular to and toward said form, a welt setting element pivotally connected to said solenoid armature and having a flat surface disposed in plates intermediate said plate and the stocking,

and a fabric cover encasing said pad and at least the marginal edges of said plate.

18. The combination of a raceway, a carrier on said raceway, a stocking form on the carrier, a spiral cam for propelling the carrier along said racevvay, a standard secured to said raceway, a Welt setting element adjacent the plane of movement of said form and in resilient longitudinally convergent relation to the form, means on said standard supporting said element for movement in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of movement of said form, and means actuatable by said spiral cam for effecting rapid actuation oi said element in said direction to effect rst an edge Contact With the stocking, then a movement of said edge and the engaged portion of the stocking longitudinally of the form and then a full ilat contact with the stocking on the form.

HARRY F. WANAMAKER. 

